Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41B—MACHINES OR ACCESSORIES FOR MAKING, SETTING, OR DISTRIBUTING TYPE; TYPE; PHOTOGRAPHIC OR PHOTOELECTRIC COMPOSING DEVICES
  • B41B27/00—Control, indicating, or safety devices or systems for composing machines of various kinds or types

Definitions

• This invention relates to typesetting systems employing a computerised typesetting installation.
• a typesetting system comprises a typesetting user input terminal, with a display screen and operating keybank, connected through a link to a computer typesetting installation, and is characterised in that the typesetting installation includes a computer proof generator, and in that a facsimile printer is associated with the input terminal, on command from the user the proof
• OMPI generator being operative to transmit over said link to the facsimile printer signals which operate the latter to produce a hard copy proof of the type character image(s) previously set into a memory of the installation by the user, who can then approve the proof or modify or edit the text as required and effect corresponding updating of said memory, before the typesetter actually sets the type.
• the proof-read text in the memory may be type set in real time or stored in a memory bank for subsequent typesetting.
• the user terminal is a dual purpose intelligent Viewdata and typesetting terminal, so that when not in typesetting mode it can be used with Prestel, or other established Viewdata .system and/or with a Viewdata system provided by the installation. Desirably the user terminal can also operate off-line as an independent free ⁇ standing unit with data and programmes stored locally, and such additional programmes are conveniently obtainable as required from the central typesetting bureau.
• the terminal may incorporate an auto-dial facility.
• the user terminal preferably includes or is capable of expansion to incorporate floppy-disc drives and extra memory in order to run "Telesoftware", and further expansion may include an audio cassette for temporary data storage of Viewdata frames and for temporary storage of local text while in preparation.
• An audio outlet for connection to the facsimile printer will normally be in ⁇ cluded, and the terminal may output to a printer (typically a daisywheel printer) .
• the typesetting installation may include a View ⁇ data system providing the front end of the installation and having two prime functions; firstly to act as a standard Viewdata system to provide information to the users at the user terminals, and secondly to operate in a "transparent” or so-called gateway mode to allow the user to talk "through” the Viewdata system to the typesetting system behind it.
• a View ⁇ data system providing the front end of the installation and having two prime functions; firstly to act as a standard Viewdata system to provide information to the users at the user terminals, and secondly to operate in a "transparent” or so-called gateway mode to allow the user to talk “through” the Viewdata system to the typesetting system behind it.
• the Viewdata system may be associated with soft ⁇ ware which provides self-teach prcgrairr.es for the user, who may be one of several users sharing the installation and each with his own terminal. This makes the overall system attractive not only to people who already know about type ⁇ setting but also to those who are prepared to learn with the help of a self-teach programme.
• Figure 1 illustrates the user terminal; and Figure 2 illustrates the central typesetting bureau installation.
• the system is specifically designed for users such as small commercial printers without their own typesetting capability. Other typical users might be larger printers requiring typesetting back-up, trade typesetters desiring a high degree of sophistication such as can be provided by the typesetting installation used, and advertising agencies wishing to set their own text. Large firms with a drawing office which uses dry transfer lettering could also usefully employ the system.
• the user terminal illustrated in Figure 1 is a dual-purpose typesetting and intelligent Viewdata terminal.
• It basically comprises a central microprocessor 1, an associated memory 2 (typically 64 Kbytes of memory avail- able, at least 48K of which are contiguous which is a CAP Telesoftware requirement), a CRT display screen or VDU 3, an operating keybank 4, a modem 5 connecting the microprocessor 1 to a GPO telephone line 6 to link the user terminal to the central bureau installation shown in Figure 2, an auto-dial unit 7 and, connected to the telephone line and alternatively operable, a loudspeaker or handset 8 and a facsimile printer 9.
• an auto-dial unit 7 and, connected to the telephone line and alternatively operable, a loudspeaker or handset 8 and a facsimile printer 9.
• floppy-disc drives 10 e.g., a daisywheel printer 11 and an audio cassette unit 12.
• the VDU 3 will normally provide a monochrome display, but optional extension to a colour display for colour work is available by fitting an adaptor unit 13 as shown in broken lines in Figure 1.
• the screen interface with the microprocessor 1 has the capability of driving the CRT on two software selectable standards, which are either British Viewdata standard of 40 characters/ line 24 lines including graphics and double- height characters, or 80 characters/line 20-24 lines (possibly with alternative character sets 14) for alternative use when operating in the typesetting mode.
• the Viewdata section of the terminal incorporates a variety of functions including integral low-speed modem with auto-dial, employing the previously described units 5 and
• the audio cassette unit 12 for local data storage is driven from this section and the Post Office requirement for an audio output for the loudspeaker or handset 8 is, as already mentioned, utilised to provide alternatively the output to the facsimile printer 9.
• the auto-dial facility also complies with GPO requirements, including the mandatory remote programming of the terminal number and phone number, with remote interrogation of the terminal number.
• the disc storage interface at the microprocessor 1 is capable of supporting two 1/4 Mbyte floppy-disc drives 10.
• the keybank unit 4 includes a telephone style numeric keypad and a clear and edit key operating through an interlock, thus also complying with Prestel requirements.
• a QWERTY type keyboard is provided with various additional keys as required for typesetting operations, as will be known to persons skilled in the art without further description herein, providing a layout which embodies the major requirements of both Viewdata and typesetting.
• the photo-typesetting installation shown in Figure 2 is connected to the telephone line 6 through a modem 20 and basically comprises a front end Viewdata system 21, a typesetter system 22,23, and a computer proof generator 24.
• the modem 20 can be switched, by a switch 25, so that the telephone line 6 is alternatively connected either to the input of the Viewdata system 21 for Viewdata reception or interactive typesetting, or to the output of
• the Viewdata system 21 is of generally standard form, the main adaptation to the present system being the capability to operate in transparent or gateway mode when the user switches to the typesetting mode at the user terminal. Other adaptations required will be clear to persons skilled and knowledgeable in the art from the present description, as will the software required for the system and which forms no part of the invention.
• the Viewdata system 21 has its own disc memory 26 (which may typically be of 10 Mbyte capacity) and is associated with a printer 27. This printer can be employed, under the control of the system 21, for various domestic duties.
• the typesetter system is a Linotype-Paul System V comprising a computer 22, which in the present case is a Prime 100 computer associated, typically, with a 10 or 60 Mbyte disc memory 28, a 'Linoscreen I 1 direct entry
• the OMPI terminal 29 and the printer 30 are associated with the computer 22 in the usual manner.
• the typesetting system also includes the actual typesetter 23, which in the installation at present being described is a Linotype-Paul Type 202 photo-typesetter.
• the computer 22 When a user terminal is operating in typesetting mode the computer 22 generates the appropriate input signals for the typesetter 23, these signals being locally stored in the memory 28.
• the bureau provides an archiving service the signals can be archived in this memory, with appropriate archiving charge information being generated by the system 21.
• an archiving service this will normally preferably be done utilising another disc memory (not shown) provided specifically for that purpose, leaving the full capacity of the memory 28 available for short term storage; for example, the typesetting charge may cover free storage in the typesetter memory 28 for say one week.
• the user calls the stored text back on his terminal screen the latter preferably has a headnote which states how much of the free storage time still remains. Users can alter the signals stored in the typesetting system 22,28 at will, and on receipt of a 'set type' or 'proof type' command sent from the user terminal the signals are sent to the typesetter 23.
• the signals which are stored in the system 22,28 are inputted to the computer proof generator 24, which is a custom-built unit designed for the present system this case also based on a Prime 100 computer.
• the signals are routed to the computer 24 through the typesetter 23 on receipt of a 'transmit facsimile proof command from the user terminal, an ON control signal from the computer 22 controlling the appropriate switch 25 to connect the output of the proof generator 24 to the telephone line 6 concerned.
• the signals to the proof generator 24 are converted into a proof picture in memory and output, through the connected switch 25 and telephone line 6, in a form suitable to operate the facsimile printer at the connected user terminal.
• This facsimile printer thereupon produces a hard copy of the type character image (s) as actually set by the user, who can then either approve or edit the type before giving the 'set type' command signal.
• an OFF signal from the proof generator 24 switches the connected switch 25 to disconnect the proof generator output from the telephone line 6.
• the user can call for a simple proof, of text or other input matter stored in the memory 28, this also being capable of editing and/or revision before it set (or re-set) by the typesetter 23 or facsimile proofed (or re-proofed) by the proof generator 24.
• the signals stored in the system 22,28 are transmitted back directly through the Viewdata system 21, switch 25 and telephone line 6.
• This text proof can be displayed on the VDU 3 and/or a hard copy produced by the printer 11 (Fig.l) .
• the typesetter 23 unit includes computer/converter circuitry and a CRT/photo section, the former driving the latter and converting the input signals from the computer 22 into appropriate coordinate control signals for the CRT, for control of the display of the type character image.
• the typesetter unit 23 can be used to set the type in real time, it is envisaged that in general the circuit capabilities of this unit will be fully occupied during normal working hours providing the required input for the computer proof generator 24.
• the approved type will be stored in the memory 28 and queued for typesetting at a more convenient time out of hours, for example during lunchtime and evening periods.
• VDU 3 has a full-size display screen, for example displaying a full page of text, this is not essential and a screen displaying say only a single line of text could be used.

Landscapes

• Record Information Processing For Printing (AREA)
• Facsimiles In General (AREA)
• Controls And Circuits For Display Device (AREA)
• Processing Or Creating Images (AREA)
• Computer And Data Communications (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=10518262

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (2)

Citations (3)

• 1981
  • 1981-10-05 GB GB8130057A patent/GB2094112B/en not_active Expired
  • 1981-12-15 CA CA000392318A patent/CA1183960A/en not_active Expired
  • 1981-12-16 JP JP57500180A patent/JPS57502081A/ja active Pending
  • 1981-12-16 WO PCT/GB1981/000275 patent/WO1982002362A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1981-12-16 NL NL8120480A patent/NL8120480A/nl unknown
  • 1981-12-30 FR FR8124535A patent/FR2497152A1/fr active Granted

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (6)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events